Mass at the Shrine and meeting Fr. Benedict Groeschel

Today was a good day.

During my lunch break I attended Mass for Festum Omnium Sanctorum at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. I guess it was broadcast on EWTN. If you saw a gangly youth in the back with a red tie, that was me.

Later in the day I was privledged to attend a lecture and Mass celebrated by Fr. Benedict Groeschel of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal at the Catholic Information Center here in DC.

Fr. Groeschel was in town for an event hosted by the Cardinal Newman Society promoting their recently-published guide to choosing a Catholic College. I received a complimentary copy of the excellent resource (now available on Amazon.com), and plan on reading through it this weekend, time permitting.

Fr. Groeschel's best one-liner (of which there were many) went something like this: "You know, if people try Catholicism - they'll discover that it works!" He had some acerbic (and truthful) things to say, but I'll keep those to myself.

Comments were also made during the night's discussion about the conspicuous absence of Jesuit institutions in the list compiled by the Newman Society. I have to say, after blogging for the last two years, it's really a small wonder with all the negative stories that regularly crop-up on Jesuit campuses these days. So. Many. Stories.

In fairness, good news has a hard time making it into my inbox, so if I'm missing anything important, let me know.

I'd like to spread the good word, if it's out there.